KRISTOFER DAVIES – a 19-year-old with a habit of using knives – is a danger to the public.

With one conviction for knife violence already on his record, he went on to leave another victim in a wheelchair after pursuing him through Darlington town centre, stabbing him in the back and twisting the blade.

He served five years of an eight-year sentence for that terrifying attack, but, within months of getting out on licence, he pulled a knife at a party and robbed a young man.

He is now back behind bars, completing the eight-year sentence for leaving his previous victim partially paralysed.

Judge Peter Armstrong said he felt inclined to give Davies an indeterminate sentence, but didn’t. He gave him “considerable credit” for his age and the fact that he pleaded guilty.

Davies will still be a young man when he gets out of prison. He will be able to run around – unlike his victim.

It is, of course, our sincere hope that he is a transformed character by the time he comes out of jail but, based on his track record so far, it seems very likely he will continue to be a danger to the public.

Like Theresa Cave, head of the Mothers Against Violence branch in the North-East, we believe it is time the Government insisted on the courts taking a tougher stance against knife crime.

The message has to be sounded loud and clear that carrying a knife on British streets will not be tolerated.